Internship Program 2023

The Little Rock Zoo is now accepting applications for 2023 summer animal care and conservation educator internships. The Zoo is seeking dependable, hardworking college students interested in the fields of animal care, education and research. Interns will gain valuable experience with zoo research by training with professional zoo educators, scientists, and husbandry staff.

Interns will receive a $2,000 stipend sponsored by the Arkansas Zoological Foundation. Housing and transportation are the responsibility of the intern.

The 2023 summer internship term will begin Sunday May 30, 2023, continuing through mid-August. End dates may be no earlier than August 7^th and no later than Sept 1^st without approval.

To Apply

Follow the links below the description to apply for the desired internship

Applicants must submit all of the following documents to be considered:

• Online application
• Resume
• Letter of interest including dates of availability (please include any prior obligations and time off requirements)
• School transcript (may be unofficial)

Deadline for summer 2023 applications is Friday, February 24^th

For questions not answered by this webpage e-mail: kneal@littlerock.gov

Zoological Research Internships 

The Little Rock Zoo Research Intern will participate in on-grounds, behavioral and wellness research projects. Duties will include conducting literature reviews, creating behavioral ethograms, collecting behavior observations of animals, creating visualizations of data, running statistical analyses, and presenting results. Training will be provided. Interns will also be expected to be able to speak to the public about their work in a professional manner and at an appropriate level. Previous experience in research or animal behavior is helpful but not required. Suitable candidates should be comfortable interacting with people and standing (or sitting) outdoors in the Arkansas heat for extended periods of time. Interns will also have the opportunity to learn about zoo management and animal welfare topics through lectures and activities offered throughout the summer.

Please note, this is not an animal care internship – while we will consider all applicants, those with an interest in research may find this internship more suitable than those focused on animal care.

Click Here to apply for the Zoological Research Internship

Minimum Qualifications and Additional Requirements:

• College student or recent graduate majoring in biology, zoology, or other related field
• Must have completed a minimum of 4 semesters at the start of the internship
• Student in good standing, GPA 2.5 or higher
• Up-to-date vaccinations, recent physical and negative TB test (dated within 6 months of start date). Documentation will be required the first day of the internship term. Covid-19 vaccination will be required for animal care internships.
• Able to work 32-40 hours per week a minimum of 10 consecutive weeks beginning the week of May 30^th.
• Acceptance into the program is contingent on passing a background check
• Available to attend Intern orientation on May 30 – Orientation is Mandatory

Conservation Education Internships 

Little Rock Zoo’s Conservation Education department is looking for highly motivated individuals to join our summer internship program. Interns will gain experience in program development and facilitation while exploring best practices in guest engagement, interpretation, and conservation messaging as it relates to wildlife and environmental topics.

Interns will assist staff with Zoofari day camp, awareness day events, ambassador animal presentations and other educational experiences. Candidates applying for this internship should be comfortable interacting with diverse audiences, presenting in front of crowds, and enjoy working with children. Tasks may require some strenuous activity, so candidates should be in good health and be able to apply safe working practices. Interns will also have the opportunity to learn about zoo management and animal welfare topics through lectures and activities offered throughout the summer.

While Conservation Education Interns will learn about and may be trained to handle ambassador animals, this is not a keeper internship. Those with an interest in animal husbandry may find the Animal Care Internship be a more suitable option.

Commitments:

• Available to attend Intern orientation on May 30 – Orientation is Mandatory

• Minimum of 320 hours (32-40 hours per week for 10 consecutive weeks following orientation)
• Available to work weekends and holidays

Click Here to apply for the Conservation Education Internship

Minimum Qualifications:

• Positive attitude, willingness to learn, and strong work ethic
• Ability to work in outdoor conditions and be comfortable navigating uneven terrain
• Comfortable working in a team setting and taking on individual tasks and responsibilities
• College student or recent graduate majoring in education, biology, or a related field
• Must have completed a minimum of 4 semesters at the start of the internship
• Student in good standing, GPA 2.5 or higher
• Ability to safety lift up to 50lbs, or ask for an assisted two-person carry
• Acceptance into the program is contingent on passing a background check, physical, and negative TB test (dated within 6 months of start date.) Documentation will be required the first day of the internship term. Covid-19 vaccination will be required for animal care internships.

Animal Care Internships

Little Rock Zoo animal care interns work alongside the zoo’s animal keepers learning the ins and outs of animal husbandry in a zoological setting. Tasks may include but are not limited to feeding, cleaning, enrichment, training, exhibit maintenance, and public speaking. These duties include some strenuous activity so candidates should be in good health, capable of lifting up to 50lbs, and able to apply safe working practices. Suitable candidates must be positive and patient with well-developed observational skills and work ethic. Weekly schedule may vary so interns must be flexible; any possible conflicts must be mentioned prior to the acceptance of the position. Interns will also have the opportunity to learn about zoo management and animal welfare topics through lectures and activities offered throughout the summer.

Click Here for apply for Animal Care Internships

Minimum Qualification and Additional Requirements:

• College student or recent graduate majoring in education, conservation, biology, or other related field
• Must have completed a minimum of 4 semesters at the start of the internship
• Student in good standing, GPA 2.5 or higher
• Capable of lifting 50 lbs
• Up-to-date vaccinations, recent physical and negative TB test (dated within 6 months of start date). Documentation will be required the first day of the internship term. Covid-19 vaccination will be required for animal care internships.
• Available to work weekends and holidays
• Able to work 32-40 hours per week a minimum of 10 consecutive weeks beginning the week of May 30^th.
• Acceptance into the program is contingent on passing a background check
• Available to attend Intern orientation on May 30 – Orientation is Mandatory

Animal Care Internship Types: 

Ambassador Animal Care Internship

Species in the Ambassador Animal area include African penguin, bald eagle, spur-thigh tortoise, opossum and a large variety of other small mammals, birds of prey, and reptiles. Additionally, interns may participate in the Zoo’s educational programs including the Wild Wonders Animal Show, off-site programming, and media appearances.

Arkansas Heritage Farm Internship

The Arkansas Heritage Farm is home to a variety of heritage breed domestic mammals such as Nigerian goats, Boer Goats, Blackbelly sheep, Chinchilla rabbits and more. Farm staff also care for domestic, native, and exotic birds waterfowl including flamingos, owls, and numerous varieties of chickens, ducks, and geese.

Carnivore Internship

Carnivore interns will shadow carnivore keepers learning the husbandry of a wide variety of carnivores with an emphasis on safety. Species in this internship big and small cats, bears, otters, and canids.

Herpetology Internship

Interns in this department will learn about the husbandry and care of a large variety of reptiles and amphibians, and will assist with daily care, conservation-based programs, and educational opportunities for our visitors. Species include American alligator, large tortoises, and a variety of venomous and nonvenomous snakes, turtles, frogs, fish, and invertebrates. Interns will learn about safe handling techniques for all species; however, interns will not be directly handling venomous animals.

Hoofstock and Birds Internship

Hoofstock and Birds interns will shadow both the large and small hoofstock teams learning the daily routines and care practices for large variety of species. These Interns will be exposed to the Asian elephant program and daily routine, however direct experience with the elephants will be limited. Species in this internship also include black rhino, plains zebra, giant anteater, red river hogs, lorikeet, ostrich, a variety of free flight tropical birds and more. 

Primates Internship

Primate interns will learn the husbandry practices specific to primates though shadowing primate and great ape keepers and assisting with their daily routines. Species in this internship include great apes, lesser apes, various monkey species, and prosimians.

For questions not answered by this webpage e-mail: kneal@littlerock.gov